Celia Syversen

Celia Syversen, Rye, East Sussex

Delighted to hear from you, Carol, especially as I thought the trail had "gone cold" long since! Is there a small "l" after Dan, indicating an abbreviation? This is how the name is engraved on our longcase clock. Some years ago we went to Rye and just scraped into the Public Library before closing time: there we found "The Clockmakers of Sussex" by E.J. Tyler, publ ca 1987 by The Watch & Clock Book Society, P.O.Box 22, Ashford, Kent. An entry shows: "DANIEL GILL, Rye b 1759. Only clockmaker in Rye in UBD (Univ British Dictionary) 1798; paid by church 1805-10 for work on clock. thirty-hour LC brass dial birdcage movement. Another, silver centre to dial. Another, George Hotel Rye (NB by me: this clock has been stolen, said the hotel!!) Verge watcges known. Eight-day LC movement plain silvered arch dial. Was also a banker. His shop in High Street now bears a plaque." As Daniel Gill made verge watches and was active until at least 1810 (still only in his fifties), surely it's quite possible that he made yours? Wonder where the S43S came from? Does the watch still work? Our "Daniel" as we call him keeps remarkably good time, although he did have a major overhaul some years ago, which cost even more than we paid for him at the outset! Yes, we always refer to our clock as "him".) Believe there were other Gills - a Samuel in Rye and a William in Hastings. Good luck with your further search. All good wishes, Celia

What a pity, but thank you anyway! It has happened to me, too - annoying when one has used time and effort! Perhaps the website should post a warning about time limits? [You will be glad to know this update is in the pipeline, thanks, Ed] Hope to hear from you again. Regards
Celia

Hei igjen Rene Breck! After writing to you yesterday I found, quite by chance, a picture on: www.antiquesrye.co.uk/Gill_clock_Rye.htm This shows a clock very similar to our own "Daniel" (as we call him) and the caption "circa 1770 SOLD". Wonder whether this is the clock you bought? Vennlig hilsen, Celia Syversen

Hallo again Joanna! No, my message hasn't appeared, but in the interim I have discovered two interesting things: under the heading "Daniel Gill - 1795" on the Rye Message Board, a Dane called Rene Breck posted a message in 2010; I have also discovered, quite by chance, a picture on www.antiquesrye.co.uk/Gill_clock_Rye.htm

This shows a clock, remarkably similar to our "Daniel" (as he is affectionately called) with the caption: ca 1770 SOLD. Struck me that this could possibly be the clock purchased by Rene Breck ... We shall, perhaps, see! Regards, Celia

Dear Joanna, I attempted to send you a fairly lengthy reply immediately after writing to Brian Conway, but it hasn't appeared on the Message Board! Will wait some days to see whether it turns up. Regards, Celia

Dear Brian Conway, Many thanks for the info, which has also had the happy side-effect of putting me in touch with Joanna Monnington again! Yes, I knew that Daniel Gill was a banker, but had no further details about this part of his career. Fascinating what can be done on the Internet, isn't it? Always happy to hear anything else that might turn up! Regards, Celia Syversen

Dear Joanna Monnington,By sheer chance, I "happened upon" your message only recently; after all this time you have almost cetainly forgotten about replying to my query! Yes, I have seen, again by chance, the plaque in Rye and also found a little info about the Gills in the Public Library, but was surprised not to find more. Have also discovered (on Ancestry.com website) that the family came from the Hastings/Eastbourne area. We have a 30-hour Daniel Gill clock: in an oak case with brass dial. When we bought it the label said "1795" but I am not convinced that is correct. Would be interesting to see a picture of yours! Regards, Celia